Eurovision Song Contest receives prestigious Charlemagne Medal

28 April 2016 at 21:03 CEST

The Charlemagne Medal EBU

The Eurovision Song Contest has been awarded the 2016 Charlemagne Medal (Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens) for media that has contributed to European unity at a ceremony in Aachen, Germany on Thursday 28th April. ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus presented the medal to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)’s Director General Ingrid Deltenre and Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand at Aachen Town Hall.

In his laudatory speech Ulvaeus, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, spoke of the power of the event in bringing Europe together:

“For me the Eurovision Song Contest is a powerful symbol and I would say, even a weapon in the fight against the dark forces that want to drag us back to the middle ages again. It is more relevant than ever. I feel that during those hours, those bright, uplifting hours when the Eurovision final is on the air, that’s one of the few times nowadays when Europe gets a sense of what it’s like to be unified; to live in harmony.”

Ulvaeus added, “Music has the power to unify – it knows no borders. For 60 years the marriage of television and music through the Eurovision Song Contest has brought nations closer together and this is apparent through the numbers of people the event reaches, 199 million in 2015, and also through the number of nations that now take part; from 7 countries in 1956 to the 42 competing in Stockholm in 2 weeks’ time.”

A great honour

"It is a great honour to receive this renowned award, from the Charlemagne Medal Committee, as we prepare to celebrate the 61st Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm,” said EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre.

“60 years ago the first Eurovision Song Contest was held with the aim of bringing nations together. Music knows no national boundaries and provides a common language for us all. The friendships formed between the competing artists from over 40 nations come through the screen to audiences watching at home. The fact that the Eurovision Song Contest is so popular in an increasingly polarized world illustrates that the differences are smaller than we think,” she added.

"Our motto in Stockholm this year is 'Come Together' and I am so proud that The Eurovision Song Contest still provides a unique opportunity for audiences from across Europe and beyond to do just that during three great live shows every year. The EBU is thrilled to be awarded this medal by Björn Ulvaeus from arguably the most successful Eurovision winners of all time, ABBA. He still provides inspiration for today’s artists competing in the world’s biggest music entertainment show.” said Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.

For further information read the full press release on the EBU website.